The market town of Llanidloes is the first town on the River Severn and is ideally positioned to explore the Cambrian Mountains in Wales.
48 hours in Llanidloes is enough time to explore the independent shops and cafes and to also experience the great outdoors.
There’s an appreciation for heritage, culture and local food here, that enhances the town’s overall character, charm and visitor appeal.
Llanidloes’s proximity to the great outdoors, including Clywedog Lake, Elan Valley and the Hafren Forest, make the town popular with hikers, bikers and photographers.
48 hours in Llanidloes
Llanidloes history
Llanidloes has a long historical timeline that includes a charter to hold a market in 1289. You can still see remnants of its market town history throughout the town.
There are several old churches and timber-framed buildings in the town, including the 17th-century Llanidloes market hall that still stands at the crossroads of the four medieval streets of the town.
It’s the only surviving market hall of its kind in Wales and is of huge historical importance.
Today, Llanidloes retains a market town feel with a Saturday Charter Market featuring local stalls, as well as a selection of independent boutique stores.
Check out our guide to 48 hours in Llanidloes and the surrounding area and plan your next Wales adventure.
Discover boutique shopping in Llanidloes
Llanidloes is a perfect shopping destination as it features many independent retailers, offering a wide variety of goods and gifts.
Much like the market towns of Rhayader, Llandovery and Llandeilo shopping here is an experience.
Here you’ll find furnishing, vintage clothing, local crafts, art, natural foods and Welsh gifts that are ideal for Christmas.
Llanidloes shopping options include:
- Hafren Furnishers
- Natural Foods
- Curig Welsh Gifts
- The Fish Deli
- L’Armoire Designer Ladies Boutique
- Great Oak Book Shop
- Ty Hardd Fabrics
There’s also a Saturday Charter Market with local stalls selling plants, local produce, antiques, local crafts and gifts.
It’s run locally by the independent Llanidloes Charter Market Group and is open every Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm.
Coffee and cake at Cobblers Tea Room
Enjoy cakes, coffee and light snacks in a beautiful vintage setting at the cosy Cobblers Tea Room on High Street Llanidloes.
This cutesy cafe has been under new management from December 2018 and provides locals and visitors with a hugely warm welcome.
Their freshly ground coffee is served Italian style and all their delicious cakes are homemade, with ingredients sourced as locally as possible.
Cobblers Tea Room also serves fresh sandwiches, seasonal soups and vintage afternoon teas that are perfect as a special foodie treat.
Make sure to warm yourself by their beautiful listed fireplace and feast upon the best cheesecake in Wales.
Explore the Hafren Forest
Explore the scenic trails of the Hafren Forest surrounded by pine and spruce trees, as mellow sunlight filters through the dense canopy.
Hafren Forest was planted by the Forestry Commission in the 1930s and named after Afon Hafren [River Severn].
Despite the commercial timber-producing purpose of this forest, the Forestry Commission successfully manages Hafren as a habitat for wildlife, and as a place of leisure for visitors.
Stroll along the wooden boardwalks and soak up the serene sounds of the forest.
Hafren Forest walks
There are several trails in the Hafren Forest that differ in length and difficulty.
All the Hafren Forest walking trails are really well waymarked and start from the Rhyd-y-benwch car park.
The trails include:
- Cascades Walk
- Severn-Break-its-Neck Trail
- Blaen Hafren Falls Trail
- Source of the Severn Trail
Go boating Clywedog Lake
Spend some time exploring nearby Clywedog Lake. It’s a large man-made and multi-purpose reservoir that offers sailing, fishing, bird watching and walking.
The lake is owned and operated by Severn Trent Water and is a massive 615 acres spanning 6 miles.
It’s also full of wildlife including buzzards, red kite, mallards, squirrels and owls. Keep your eyes peeled for the ospreys too.
Access to the water is through Clywedog Sailing Club, who provide a ‘Day Sailing pass’, for both sailing dinghies and canoes.
This pass includes the use of club facilities including changing rooms, toilets and kitchens.
Hike the Llanidloes trails
Llanidloes has over thirty separate routes around the town which are clearly way-marked and signposted.
These walking routes connect Llanidloes with surrounding villages and they all differ in length and difficulty.
Long-distance walkers can also enjoy the national trails of Glyndwr’s Way and the Severn Way that pass through Llanidloes.
Walks near Llanidloes
Some of the popular walking routes in and around Llanidloes include:
- Hafren Forest – Peaceful woodland trails through pine forests
- Llyn Clywedog – Scenic walks around a large reservoir near Llanidloes
- Severn Way – Follow the River Severn from its source at Pumlumon Fawr to Bristol
- Sarn Sabrina Walk – Circular walk that explores the area around the Llanidloes
- Glyndwr’s Way – A 135-mile long trail that starts on the English/Welsh border
For walks close to Llanidloes you will need OS Explorer Map 214. The weather in Wales can also be unpredictable so make sure to bring waterproof hiking gear and proper hiking boots.
Proper pub tea at the Red Lion
Have a filling pub dinner at the Red Lion Hotel, which serves big portions of traditional pub classics.
There’s a definitive ‘proper pub’ vibe here with a jukebox, patterned carpets, dark wooden bars and sports on the TV.
This is not an over-priced gastro pub for hipsters, it’s a community hub with welcoming staff and reasonable prices.
Typical menu offerings include scampi, Chicken curry, Lamb shank and the Red Lion burger.
Llanidloes pubs
There are a number of other pubs and places to eat in Llanidloes including:
- The Whistling Badger
- Angel Inn
- Spice Club
- Great Oak Cafe
- Talerddig bakery
- Coffee Bean
Admire Welsh quilts at Minerva Arts Centre
The Minerva Arts Centre is the home of the Quilt Association and its collection of beautiful heritage quilts.
Admire their impressive collection of antique quilts made in Wales during the 19th and 20th Centuries, along with various associated items such as quilting templates and frames.
The Centre is also used for a range of exhibitions throughout the year featuring a range of textile, crafts and arts.
Book a hot tub retreat
If you are spending the weekend in Llanidloes, why not treat yourself to a relaxing hot tub stay?
At Felin Fawr Lodges you find 3 beautifully presented lodges in an idyllic countryside location. The lodges are located on the outskirts of Llangurig village, a short drive from Llanidloes.
These contemporary, rural lodges are the ideal place to base yourself in Llanidloes and are an awesome place to stay in the Cambrian Mountains.
Felin Fawr Lodges
One of the best features of the lodges is the bubbling hot tub that is sunk into the decking, with dreamy views of the Welsh countryside.
Inside you’ll find a modern-meets-rustic open-plan interior, with hipster vibes.
There’s a fully equipped kitchen, wooden beams, electric fire, Wi-Fi and a flat-screen TV, complete with Netflix.
Ash Lodge, where we stayed sleeps 4 people and includes a king-size room with en-suite shower room and a twin room. Both perfect for lazy mornings with a coffee and the paper.
Prices for stays at Felin Fawr Lodges depend on dates and length of stay. Lodges start from around £500 for a 7-night stay in the off-season.
Special deals and last minute offers can be found on the Felin Fawr Facebook page and their Instagram.
If you are spending 48 hours in Llanidloes, it’s the perfect place to have a romantic weekend for two in mid-Wales.
Thanks to Felin Fawr Lodges for kindly hosting us for this stay. What do you think of my guide to 48 hours in Llanidloes? Are you planning on visiting this historic market town? Let us know in the comments below.
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hi ,there in your article on the history of the town a mention of the worlds biggest welsh cake would of been interesting to see up there…there are some pictures etc available ,,,we are in the guiness book of records ,,
Hi Garfield, I love Welsh cakes! More than happy to feature this fun fact in the article. If you can get in touch with me with the information I will happily include it! 🙂
Hi, enjoyed reading your 48 hours in Llanidloes. As I was born and bred there it made me feel quite homesick.
Hi Wynne, I am so pleased you enjoyed the article. It’s such a lovely town and I can understand why you would miss it. I hope you get back there soon! 🙂